TS EN 63080

TS EN 63080 is a terminology standard for accessibility terms and definitions. It establishes a common vocabulary for authors and implementers of standards so that accessibility-related concepts are used consistently and understood in the same way. In general technical terms, accessibility is about making products, services, and information usable and understandable by a wide range of people, including persons with disabilities and others who may face situational or age-related barriers.

Why the vocabulary needs to be standardised

The scope of this document is to provide a list of currently used terminology for describing accessibility and to harmonise the definitions of those terms. It places particular emphasis on terminology already used in ITU Recommendations and Resolutions, as well as concepts associated with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). A shared vocabulary reduces ambiguity in technical standards, policy documents, and implementation guidance, especially where multiple organisations and disciplines use the same words differently.

Technical context and practical relevance

In broader accessibility practice, terminology often intersects with concepts such as assistive technology, alternative formats, usability, perceivability, operability, and understandability. Terminology standards typically do not prescribe a device design or a test method; instead, they define the language that supports consistent drafting and interpretation across documents. TS EN 63080 therefore serves as a reference point for using current, respectful, and internationally recognisable accessibility language.

• Brings together currently used terminology for accessibility and related concepts.
• Supports consistent wording by standards writers and implementers.
• Aligns terminology with ITU sources and the UNCRPD context.
• Helps avoid outdated, offensive, or demeaning expressions.